the people that i talk to about the game don't have any specific complaints but there are a lot of them that 'just don't like the way it shoots'

so far my only real gripe is that the right orbit shot is sort of lame but orbits are my favorite thing to shoot and the left one being through a spinner to a clean flipper return is so awesome that it overshadows the halfbaked right orbit in my mind

edit for a question: I turn my machine on and off a lot and it feels real dumb to get an EB lit on every game, the first time i shoot Burn it Back. what settings are you all using to make sure that doesn't happen? feels cheap to automatically get that 4th ball

extra ball gets lit for me after two or three right inlane shots

I believe it is set to progressive as default, so it could be more or less depending on how often the EB is being obtained. I think you can set it static in the adjustments.

anybody else find the left orbit and right ramp shots to be the most difficult?

Finally got my topper shipped from Tilt earlier this week. It's been a long ride.

Yes. Right ramp in particular. Glad I'm not the only one.

right ramp is the toughest shot in the game for me off of a trap up on the left flipper. if the ball's moving it's easier and sometimes i can backhand it off the right

stalling the ball on the left flipper out of a left orbit return or burn it back or mystery is essential. if you slap it at the center drops you're donezo

also there's no reason to hurry to total isolation. it's not actually very good points or a very interesting mode imho. you're better off completing the modes properly and letting TI happen organically

After thinking about it, I would unload this at 600 if somebody in Central PA is looking to save about 75 bucks with shipping. Nothing wrong with it, just not into it and wanted to get something else.

Curious if Stranger Things owners would be interested in a action button plate? I hate the fact Stern costed them out of the BOM, leaves the area looking a little unfinished compared to the older games like AC/DC and Star Trek LE.

Here’s one made for Mando, as an example.

B3A99765-806E-4C75-9EF6-1A057485C430 (resized).jpeg

I would be, not really liking the one I saw with the kids on the bikes.

I haven’t seen that will try and find it and take a look.

Problem is, you'd have to make 2 versions or not have it say what it does, since the button doesn't do the exact same things on Pro vs Premium.

Yep 2 versions is exactly what I had in mind, following Chucks post above.

PSA: Premium/LE UV Kits are available for pre-order from Gameroom Goodies. This is NOT an endorsement of them (I've never purchased from them), but did sign up to be notified when they were available. Just got an email regarding this.

I got my Pro UV kit from them and they were quick to ship and packed it well.

I'd be interested in that.

Anyone got a link or photo of this one mentioned above?

https://cointaker.com/products/friends-dont-lie-button-bezel
rs=w_600,h_600 (resized).jpeg

meh

there's this one too
https://wizardmod.com/products/stranger-things-pinball-magnetic-wizemblems

also fairly meh

wizemblemsstrangerthingspinballlockdownbaraccentmagnetic_500x (resized).jpg

i just got what you meant here Chuck and i agree. my league pinbar has the right orbit set up so that you have to slap save off the tip of the left flipper every time it returns, and the ball hits the top of the left sling coming out of the left orbit. no wonder people think it's hard

I'd definitely be interested in a nice action button plate. The two shown above do nothing for me. The one with the bikes is a decent design, but the hideous color and weird shape kill it for me. I like what you did with Mando above, but I'm not sure I would want the "Demo Bomb" text. Rather have just a cool design of a couple demogorgans or something.

Leave it with me, I have a cool idea for Pro & Prem/LE. I always try to put the text on so people know what the button does or at least a vague idea when it’s flashing. But I try and integrate any text into the design like the Mando one above I don’t just want text that feels out of place.

You could rivet it if you really wanted to Chuck but more than likey a thin layer of removable adhesive - if you wanted something stronger/more permanent then it wouldn’t be hard to add it your end, but I would rather leave anything permanent to the owner.

adhesive on my shiny purple LE lockdown bar? heaven forfend

For sure would be in on one for Stranger Thins and also for Avengers AIQ Just got the button masher high score last night.

Most of the action button surrounds use some kind of adhesive. When Stern used to put surrounds on their lockbars from the factory they where riveted to the lockdown bars. Maybe the last run of Star Trek or AC/DC where stuck on I can’t remember now, but rivets are far more intrusive than removable adhesive.

Personally I prefer the magnetic method as used by wizard mods, I’m just not keen on their designs for the button surround.
The speaker and apron covers are superb tho.

So installed the machine today, played a few games (Premium). Quite positive feeling overall, and I understand why many call it AFM2.0, the demogorgon is really similar to the saucer

Now I do have a question on the TK ball lock. Will a properly adjusted magnet capture all balls, or is this still a hit and miss? Mine captures about 50% I would say.

Thanks

I saw 47 unread posts and thought there was a new code drop. Nope: Swipe-a-ball and Action Button Plate. Haha.

Got one for my SW, and it's the design Stern decided to cut costs and ditch. It looks perfect and won't ever be removed. If one is made for STh that's that well done, you wouldn't want to remove it either. So it's not a concern.

Does the game use the term demo bomb in text anywhere? I haven't paid attention to the screen. If it doesn't actually show that term or say that term, maybe use the term Instant Kill or something more D&D like on the action button plate.

In Sterns v1.02 announcement they say:
This dynamic code update includes numerous game enhancements including the brand new Demogorgon bomb feature available across all models and the exciting new swipe-a-ball feature available only on the Premium and LE models.

Interesting they are limiting a code based game feature. All the talk of dlc makes sense now.

yeah but i don't think the game explicitly refers to it as that ever

I don't think I've ever seen the game show anything regarding the button. I like the idea of using more dnd appropriate terms

I'm on board with your thought process. I find the term "demogorgan bomb" kind of silly and not thematic. If it were my choice, I think I would just use "Kill the Demogorgan" or something along those lines.

I am asking for accuracy, from what I have read insta-kill of instant kill etc all refer to the player being killed not the enemies/monsters in D&D, if so then using that term on the surround wouldn’t make much sense as it would refer to the player dying.

Meteor Swarm is the most powerful spell/attack in D&D according to google but it doesn’t really go with the game. Is there a demo bomb call out or anything in game visual or audio based to que it’s use?

not really, just the lockbar button glowing red. the game doesn't explain it or refer to a Demogorgon bomb at all, nor swipe-a-ball, as far as I know

I am not a D&D player (though I'd love to try it), but I think Critical Hit would be an accurate term?

I would still lean towards "Kill the Demogorgan" or "Destroy the Demogorgan", etc. Anyone remember if there is a specific callout in the game (not necessarily when using the button...just in general)? I think I remember Hopper saying one of those two phrases, but not positive.

Totally not meaning to steamroll your project...almost anything will be better than the current options!

i mean i just finished watching the first two seasons of the show for the first time this week, and D and D is such a tiny part of it; i'm surprised how much the game theme and mods lean into D20s and stuff? maybe it changes in season 3? i dunno

Going off what’s put in the code read me, I have designed something already for prem/LE that includes swipe-a-ball in what I think is a pretty cool way. Will try and reveal them this weekend.

It makes sense to limit Swipe-a-Ball to versions that have a physical ball lock. I don’t begrudge Pre/LE owners this one small difference. Just look at how much is missing from LZ Pro and GOT Pro, for example (compared to Pre/LE versions).